The Best Rail Trips to Take in Asia
Content and CRM Executive
From Laos and Thailand, to bullet trains in China and Japan, these Asia train tours are the best way to discover some of this continent’s most beautiful destinations.
Our Rail Trips are a love letter to the slow-travel joys of exploring a destination from the comfort of a carriage. More scenic, more sustainable, and more enjoyable – train travel is back.
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Secrets of Sri Lanka by Train
The route between Kandy and Ella in central Sri Lanka is widely regarded as one of, if not the, most beautiful train rides in the world. The gently undulating journey winds through the luscious greenery of jungles, mountains and countless tea plantations. You can spot cascading waterfalls and rural villages as you pop your head out of the window. It also crosses the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, a majestic stone-arch viaduct near Ella. This epic journey is the centre-point of our 10-day tour of Sri Lanka by train. Before that you can enjoy a scenic ride from the capital, Colombo, to Habarana. You’ll cycle around the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, visit the surreal rock fortress of Sigirya and enjoy a Sri Lankan cooking masterclass at a local family’s home. After reaching Ella we’ll spot elephants in the wild at Udawalawe National Park and visit the gorgeous coastal fort city of Galle. The trip ends with one last stunning train trip, departing from Galle and tracing the country’s western coastline all the way back to Colombo.
From US$1519
Next available from 18th May 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
ENDS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
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A Taste of Taiwan by Train
Another island, another loop tour, but Taiwan is totally different to Sri Lanka. In fact it’s different to pretty much anywhere else on Earth. This East Asian gem has cultural influences from China, Korea and Japan, but also its own distinct identity, which we’ll explore across nine-days of rail-based discovery. The trip starts and ends in the capital, Taipei, where foodies will fall in love with busy night markets and architecture fans will marvel at the city’s many manmade masterpieces. We’ll explore Taichung City, the culinary capital (Tainan) and Kaohsiung, famed for its vibrant temples and art scene. You’ll also get to visit Sun Moon Lake, where we’ll go cycling, take a boat cruise and visit a temple, as well as going for a tea tasting session at a local factory – if there’s one thing this place does have in common with Sri Lanka, it’s tea. You’ll discover the surreal cave systems and epic rock formations of Taroko Gorge, before heading back north to Taipei on the most scenic train ride of the trip, all the way up the splendid East Coast National Scenic Area.
From US$2031
Next available from 20th Jul 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Taipei, Taiwan
ENDS AT
Taipei, Taiwan
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
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Japan by Train: The Grand Tour
You can’t talk Asia and trains without eventually getting around to Japan, home of the iconic shinkansen, or bullet train. This famous high-speed rail network makes it possible to cover large swathes of this endlessly explorable nation within a relatively short period of time. That’s the idea behind our 12-day trip in Japan, which starts in Osaka and ends in Tokyo. Stops on the way include Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Kyoto, Hakone and Lake Ashi. You’ll visit traditional folk villages, sample sake in the Japanese Alps and stay in a traditional ryokan inn, equipped with onsite onsen (natural hot springs). You’ll snap photos of Mount Fuji on a Lake Ashi cruise before hitting up the capital, where you’ll get to watch sumo wrestlers train, learn how to roll sushi and try taiko drumming, before a customary night of karaoke fun.
From US$4045
Next available from 2nd Sep 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Osaka, Japan
ENDS AT
Tokyo, Japan
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Spring Sale
Incredible Thailand and Laos by Train
People don’t always associate Southeast Asia with train travel, but our two-week epic across two of the region’s most spectacular countries aims to change that perception. We’ll start in Bangkok before hopping on a train to explore the ancient ruins of Sukhothai and the street food delights of Chiang Mai. You’ll be treated to a Thai cooking masterclass ahead of some jungle exploration in Northern Thailand, where you’ll go bamboo rafting, visit an ethical elephant sanctuary and barbecue back at our jungle campsite. After around a week it’s time to cross the border into Laos, where we’ll briefly swap train travel for its water-based cousin, the river cruise. We’ll float down the verdant jungles of the Mekong, stopping off to meet remote whisky-making villagers and sacred caves. You’ll hike through a rainforest in search of Laos’ most famous sight, the spectacular Kuang Si Falls, before taking a high-speed train to Vang Vieng, where we’ll explore the Nam Song river by kayak. Having crossed back into Thailand, you’ll hop on the sleeper train back to Bangkok, where we’ll round off the trip with a city tour and farewell dinner.
From US$1927
Next available from 8th Jun 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
DURATION
14
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.
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